Special needs

My son's autism diagnosis made me realize just how ableist I had been

My son's autism diagnosis made me realize just how ableist I had been

Putting a label on my child’s glorious, sometimes confusing personality traits was harder than I expected. But my hesitation was really ignorance.

Natalie Stechyson

Why We Shouldn't Judge Teenagers Who Trick-or-Treat on Halloween

Why We Shouldn't Judge Teenagers Who Trick-or-Treat on Halloween

Yes, their costumes appear half-assed, and sure, they may arrive a bit on the late side, but I say give the teens their candy. Here’s why.

Kristen Thompson

Parents of "twice exceptional" kids actually face lots of hurdles

Parents of "twice exceptional" kids actually face lots of hurdles

While giftedness is a strength, parenting a "twice exceptional" kid who also has ADHD or anxiety comes with lots of stress.

Juliette François-Sévigny and Mathieu Pilon, The Conversation

How to tell your child they have autism

How to tell your child they have autism

Raina Delisle

When to worry about your kid's facial and body tics

When to worry about your kid's facial and body tics

It's really common for kids to make repetitive movements and noises—and how you handle them matters. Here's what you need to know about childhood tics.

Alex Mlynek

I said I wouldn’t adopt a child with FASD—and now I have four

I said I wouldn’t adopt a child with FASD—and now I have four

People say: “If you adopt older children, rather than babies, you know what you’re getting.” Well it turns out we didn’t.

Christen Shepherd

The system is set up for special-needs kids to fail

The system is set up for special-needs kids to fail

The shortfall in government funding for kids with special needs means families have to make impossible sacrifices to fill the gap.

Corrina Allen

Working through the five stages of dyslexia

Working through the five stages of dyslexia

I was devastated when my son was diagnosed with dyslexia. It took four years of heartache and hard work, but he is now reading—and I couldn’t be more proud of him.

Shoshana Sperling

When the pandemic is over, my family won't go “back to normal”

When the pandemic is over, my family won't go “back to normal”

Missing trips to the movies and birthday parties is nothing new for some parents—pandemic parenting is actually a whole lot like disability parenting.

Kathy Heath

What the pandemic taught me about my son's loneliness

What the pandemic taught me about my son's loneliness

Melanie Williams's son was born with Down syndrome. Isolation and social distancing are experiences he faces in his everyday life.

Melanie Williams, Macleans

During coronavirus, families like mine have been hung out to dry

During coronavirus, families like mine have been hung out to dry

I get less than one hour of funding per day to hire a personal support worker for my special needs child, and I’m near my breaking point.

Toni Brem

10 things NOT to say to an adoptive parent

10 things NOT to say to an adoptive parent

Even the most well-intentioned comments sometimes make adoptive parents face-palm. Here are the 10 worst things you can say.

Christen Shepherd

How my son’s autism taught me to say no

How my son’s autism taught me to say no

I used to think I had to do it all—until my kid’s diagnosis gave me a much-needed reality check.

Alexandra Samuel

Special needs parents: Here’s how to make sure your other kids are supported

Special needs parents: Here’s how to make sure your other kids are supported

When you have a kid with a special need or disability, your other kids can sometimes get lost in the mix. Here’s how to get them the support they need.

Kara Melissa Sharp

What developmental trauma disorder looks like in kids

What developmental trauma disorder looks like in kids

Developmental trauma impacts the physical development of a child’s brain, affecting their mental health and more. But there are ways to help deal with it.

Sarah Treleaven

How to welcome a baby with Down syndrome

How to welcome a baby with Down syndrome

A brief primer for new and soon-to-be parents on your beautiful baby with Down syndrome, including what to expect in the first year.

Andrea Karr

Your kid should be screened for a learning disability before Grade 1

Your kid should be screened for a learning disability before Grade 1

The signs of dyslexia in children show up early, but it's often years before they are officially diagnosed and help begins. Screening could solve that.

Audrey D. Brashich

Doctors should start screening for autism as early as 6 months, says CPS

Doctors should start screening for autism as early as 6 months, says CPS

The Canadian Paediatric Society hopes to shift diagnosis and care for kids with autism from specialists to community practitioners.

Lisa Kadane

Everything you need to know about weighted blankets

Everything you need to know about weighted blankets

Everyone wants a good night's sleep, but not everyone can get one. Weighted blankets can aid relaxation and promote a feeling of calm.

Christen Shepherd

The invisible part of special-needs parenting is what makes it so tough

The invisible part of special-needs parenting is what makes it so tough

It's super hard to parent through issues in private that nobody can see, that nobody really gets and nobody wants to talk about.

Jacqueline Miller